Diocesan Pastoral Council
Humboldt-Del Norte Deanery Minutes
August 23, 2008
St. Mary Church, Arcata
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Present: Gina and Dennis Costa, Jim Dimmick, Phil Minor, Sr. Pat Carson, Lou and Pat Bull, Jim and Linda Barrett, and guest
Joe Shea.
1. Meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. by Chairman Dennis Costa. The agenda was provided for those who did not receive the same via e-mail. Parish reports for Sacred Heart Church and Blessed Kateri Mission Church were distributed at the meeting.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting, June 7, 2008, were approved as distributed.
3. Joe Shea (former DPC Exec. Board member, Sonoma South Deanery) made a presentation concerning the Divine Mercy ministry. He explained the history and growth of this ministry, his personal involvement in it, and suggested how interest in it might be spread in our area. He provided numerous informational hand-outs and asked if he could be notified of any groups that are presently active in this ministry in our area. He expressed a willingness to visit Humboldt-Del Norte again to discuss or promote Divine Mercy, if there was sufficient interest to warrant it.
4. Parish Reports:
A) Arcata – St. Mary: Jim Dimmick reported a very successful parish picnic was held on August 24, 2008, and a well supported rummage sale. The St. Mary Elementary School now has 50 children enrolled, K-8, and 20 in the preschool.
B) Crescent City - St. Joseph: Jim Barrett reported that the St. Joseph Elementary School now has 40 children enrolled, has installed a new gymnasium floor, and a new computer lab.
C) Eureka – Sacred Heart: Gina Costa distributed a report composed by Genoveva Gomez, highlights included: 1) FR. Luis Penalosa is recovering from open heart surgery. He hopes to be able to return to his duties in early October. Vigil Mass has been cancelled until that time. 2) Deacon Tony Viegas has been diagnosed with a rare form of T-cell lymphoma and Guillain Barre Syndrome. He has recently received a stem cell transplant. 3) A statue/fountain of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be completed soon and a blessing of the statue will occur on October 5th. 4) New lighting will soon be installed outside the church leading to the rectory. 5) The parish picnic was very successful with 270 in attendance. Please visit the church website for details. 6) The following activities will be starting again after Labor Day. a) R.I.C.A. in September, b) C.C.D. - grades K-6 - on September 21, c) Spanish C.C.D. September 3, d) Youth Group 7th & 8th grades on Fridays at 6:30 p.m., e) Confirmation classes September 29 at 6:30 p.m., with parents meeting on September 28, at 10:30 a.m. f) Generations of Faith October 12, at 11:30 a.m.
7) "Blue Angel", Betty Chin is asking for donations for new backpacks and school supplies for needy children. Please bring donations to church or to the parish office. 8) The St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Feast Day Dinner will be held September 27th at 6:00 p.m.. Tickets will be available August 31st. Please call Colleen at 442-9202.
D) Eureka – St. Bernard: Phil Minor reported the following: 1) Fr. David Anderson (Eastern Rite) will be starting and eight week lecture series at St. Bernard Parish Hall on September 8, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. His topic will be The History of Church Liturgy. 2) A new women's group will be having its formation meeting at the parish hall on September 3, 2008. The aims and purposes of the group will be similar to those of the former Young Ladies Institute group which is no longer active at St. Bernard. 3) St. Bernard website is now on-line at www.saintbernard.org. The parish is now forming a "steering committee" to guide the enhancement and on-going maintenance of the site.
Phil also reported the meeting held last month with Fr. Loren Allen and five deanery representatives concerning possible options for priest coverage in the face of the growing priest shortage. Consolidation of masses and/or consolidation of parishes were among the topics discussed.
E) McKinleyville – Christ The King: Dennis Costa made a brief announcement that Fr. Mike Cloney has arrived as the new pastor of the church and has been well received by the parish.
F) Hoopa – Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Mission – (Written Report distributed) Highlights include: 1) The church has been without the services of a priest for five weeks. Deacon Ken bond and Sr. Pat Carson have led the Eucharistic services in the interim. 2)The vocations cross from Fr. Tom Diaz is still being circulated weekly to parishioners who pray daily for vocations. 3) The annual feast day celebration for Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was cancelled due to smoke from wildfires in the area. 4) A major concern at the July 20th parish council meeting was the high cost of propane used for heating. 5) The annual parish rummage sale will be held September 6th. Gently used donations would be appreciated. No electronic devices can be accepted.
5. Lou Bull gave a brief report on the DPC Exec. Bd. meeting held June 7, highlights included:
6. An election was held to fill the DPC Executive Board position vacated by Phil Minor. Pat Bull was elected by acclamation and did accept the position.
7. Phil Minor made an announcement that the Second Annual Northern California Lay Convocation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2008, at the University of San Francisco.
8. The next deanery meeting is scheduled for November 1, 2008 at St. Mary Church, Arcata.
Future meetings were also tentatively scheduled for January 31 and April 20, 2009.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
